🏈 Heismendoza?
The 2025 college football season is only a month old but we’ve seen four different favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Texas’ Arch Manning, Miami’s Carson Beck, Oklahoma’s John Mateer and now Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Odds are good we’ll have a new favorite soon with opportunities looming for Oregon’s Dante Moore, Georgia’s Gunner Stockton, Alabama’s Ty Simpson and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. A surprise contender could always enter the conversation, too.
It’s a market bookmakers never feel great about considering all the moving parts throughout a given season. And bettors are quick to bet players after memorable performances so guys behind the counter are always scrambling.
A player can easily go from 30-1 to 15-1 after a huge performance.
🎙 Vegas Voices
“I’m honestly happy to break even on that market,” Circa Sports bookmaker Connor Hower admitted. “I definitely don’t trust the short shots. And you have to be very aggressive when taking bets at the mid to long shot tiers. I thought the prices on Simpson and Nussmeier needed to be cut some this week.”
One former bookmaker believes Simpson is worth a bet at 20-1.
“People were so quick to write off Alabama after the first game,” he said over the phone. “The quarterback isn’t the answer, the defense can’t tackle and fans were hoping to win the lottery so they could buyout [Kalen] DeBoer’s contract.”
The narratives will change quickly if Simpson and the Tide roll into Athens and have a day against a Georgia defense that allowed 496 passing yards to Tennessee.
“I love Alabama +3,” he continued. “DeBoer teams play to their competition. It happened at Washington, too. They beat Oregon twice as a touchdown dog and almost lost to horrendous Stanford and Washington State teams that same year.”
Who’s the best team in the country?
“In my opinion, it’s either Alabama or Old Dominion,” Wynn Resorts bookmaker Motoi Pearson cracked. “It’s stupid to say keep your eyes on Bama going forward but keep your eyes on Bama going forward.”
Duly noted.
📊 Sharp Report
Bowling Green +10 —> +8
Washington +10 —> +8
Stanford -1.5 —> -3
Missouri State +5.5 —> +3.5
Utah-WVU U50.5 —> 47.5
Liberty-Old Dominion O50 —> 52.5
Vikings +1 —> -2.5
Chiefs +3 —> +2.5
IND-LAR O47 —> 49.5
🔭 FCS Watch
The legend grows. #VegasRick is lining up another FCS total for Saturday morning. All eyes on the Presbyterian “Over” before the number (53.5) disappears.
❤️ Our Consigliere
Raising a glass to Dave Sharapan — a dear friend who gave his time so freely, shared the funniest stories and carried the spirit of old-school Las Vegas sportsbooks. The world lost an amazing man and he will always be remembered.
Donations to the Sharapan family can be made here.
👥 Around the Table
The love for Dave was impossible to miss this week:
Rich H: “Salt of the earth Dave Sharapan.”
Chad Moody: “Dave repped the best of sports wagering.”
Fred: “We never met but he felt like a good friend.”
🐔 Chicken Picks
Here are the plays for this weekend.
Alabama +3
Alabama ML +130
Washington +8.5
Indiana-Iowa U48.5
Penn State -3.5 -105
Chiefs +2.5
Panthers +5.5
L/W: 2-4, -2.4 units
YTD: 6-13-1, -8.3 units
Follow Sam!
Bet Sweats | Bear Bets
Chicken Dinner | FOX Sports
